Deaths lead to safety works at bus station

A major €1.5m road and pedestrian safety upgrade is set to begin on the roads around Cork’s main bus station where two pedestrians have been killed in the last year.

Cork City Council has published details of the Part 8 planning process outlining the Parnell Place renewal project, and has invited submissions from the public.

An inquest last August into the death of an elderly lady who was crushed by a bus on Parnell Place in Oct 2011 heard that the design of the roads around the bus station played a role in her death.

An elderly man died after a similar accident involving a bus last June.

It is estimated that up to 10,000 people use the bus station every day.

The council said the revamp will provide enhanced facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users, as well as improving the public realm.

A new wide pedestrian plaza will be created at the entrance to the bus station.

There will be several changes to the road layout around Parnell Place, including:

nThe removal of the centre island on the northern half of the street, as well as the southbound lane which runs from Merchant’s Quay past the bus station on to Lower Oliver Plunkett St;

nVehicular traffic will instead move north-bound only along three lanes;

nA two-way cycle track will be provided between Maylor St and South Mall;

nA contra-flow cycle track will be provided between Merchant’s Quay and Maylor St;

nA north-bound bus lane will run between Lower Oliver Plunkett St and the bus station, to allow buses turn right on to Parnell Place;

nA west-bound bus lane will be provided on Merchant’s Quay, and on Lower Oliver Plunkett St;

nA north-bound bus lane will be provided on Deane St and Clontarf St.

The bus stops on Parnell Place, outside the former Mahers Outdoor Shop, will be relocated to the river side of Merchant’s Quay.

Footpaths will be widened where possible, parking, loading and taxis will be relocated to parallel bays on either side of Parnell Place, and new street lights will be installed.

The project has been the subject of detailed discussions involving the city council, Bus Éireann and gardaí, for well over a year.

The inquest last August was told that funding was not available for the project last year.

However, it is understood that the two fatal accidents resulted in the release of funding this year, to ensure the work begins.

The plans are on display in City Hall and the deadline for submissions is Jan 18.

The council will consider the submissions from the public before councillors are asked to sign off on the scheme.

Construction should start around Easter 2013 and take several months to complete.